Information processing apparatus, storage medium, and control method

ABSTRACT

To search for a device from an information processing apparatus in Simple Network Management Protocol version 3 (SNMPv3), it is necessary to set information such as authentication information. However, there is such an issue that, in a case where settings of such information are inadequate, if a desired multi-function printer (MFP) is a device with settings for responding only to SNMPv3, the desired MFP cannot be found even if a search is performed. Therefore, a user is notified that SNMPv3 settings are necessary.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/849,189, filed Apr. 15, 2020, which claims the benefit of JapanesePatent Applications No. 2019-086272, filed Apr. 26, 2019, and No.2020-019176, filed Feb. 6, 2020, all of which are hereby incorporated byreference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a technology of searching for anexternal apparatus and displaying a search result.

Description of the Related Art

In recent years, high-performance mobile terminals called smartphoneshave been widespread, and an application has appeared which communicateswith an image processing apparatus such as a multi-function printer(MFP) using a mobile terminal, so that a print instruction or a scaninstruction can be issued from the mobile terminal (hereinafter referredto as the MFP application). Such an MFP application searches for an MFPon a network by wireless communication and determines an MFP to be usedby a user based on a search result. Subsequently, the MFP applicationenables the user to select a file such as a Joint Photographic ExpertsGroup (JPEG) image file or a Portable Document Format (PDF) file storedin a mobile terminal, and transmits the file and print settingsdesignated by the user to the MFP.

Meanwhile, as a method of searching for an MFP on a network, there is amethod of broadcasting a packet in a communication protocol calledSimple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), and determining whether aresponding MFP is an MFP supported by an MFP application based oninformation obtained from a management information base (MIB)transmitted from the responding MFP. Japanese Patent ApplicationLaid-Open No. 2008-146410 discusses a method of searching for a printprocessing apparatus using both of SNMP version 1 (SNMPv1) and SNMPversion 3 (SNMPv3).

In order for a mobile terminal to search for an MFP using SNMPv3, it isnecessary to make settings of information such as authenticationinformation on the mobile terminal. However, there is a case where ageneral user is unaware that such settings are necessary, or where suchsettings have been made but are incorrect. In this case, there is suchan issue that, in a case an MFP desired by the user is an MFP withsettings for responding only to SNMPv3, the desired MFP cannot be foundeven if a search is performed, because the settings are inadequate.

SUMMARY

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a method ofcontrolling an information processing apparatus capable of communicatingwith an external apparatus in Simple Network Management Protocol version3 (SNMPv3) and capable of making a first setting about SNMPv3 includesproviding a user with a notification indicating that the first settingis inadequate in a case where the first setting is inadequate.

Further features of the present disclosure will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a mobileterminal.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of software of themobile terminal.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an imageprocessing apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating Simple Network Management Protocolversion 1 (SNMPv1) search processing to be performed by a multi-functionprinter (MFP) application, according to a first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating SNMP version 3 (SNMPv3) searchprocessing to be performed by the MFP application, according to thefirst exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating device search processing to beperformed by the MFP application, according to the first exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating device search processing to beperformed by the MFP application, according to a second exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a setting screen for SNMPv1 settings tobe displayed in an MFP.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a setting screen for SNMPv3 settingsto be displayed in the MFP.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of an SNMP setting screen to be displayedby the MFP application.

FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D each illustrate an example of a devicesearch screen to be displayed by the MFP application.

FIGS. 13A and 13B each illustrate an example of a device search screento be displayed by the MFP application, according to the secondexemplary embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described belowwith reference to the drawings. The following exemplary embodiments arenot intended to be limited, and not all combinations of featuresdescribed in the exemplary embodiments are deemed to be necessary.

The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described indetail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a data processingsystem, according to a first exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure. In FIG. 1 , a mobile terminal 100 is used as an example ofan information processing apparatus. The mobile terminal 100 is acomputer to be used to provide an instruction for transmitting a printjob to each of a multi-function printer (MFP) 110, a single-functionprinter (SFP) 120, and an SFP 130.

Each of the MFP 110, the SFP 120, and the SFP 130 is an example of animage processing apparatus. The MFP 110 has functions such as a copyfunction, a scanner function, and a facsimile transmission function, inaddition to a printer function. A wireless local area network (LAN)terminal 101 is illustrated in FIG. 1 . In the present exemplaryembodiment, in each of the image processing apparatuses 110, 120, and130, a communication protocol, specifically, Simple Network ManagementProtocol version 3 (SNMPv3), is set to be ON, and authentication andencryption of a security setting are enabled. A device in which SNMPv3is set to be ON will be hereinafter referred to as the apparatus(device) with SNMPv3 settings.

A LAN 10 is a network to which the above-described apparatuses areconnected, and the above-described apparatuses communicate with eachother via the LAN 10. The wireless LAN terminal 101 is a base station ofa wireless LAN and the base station has a general network/routerfunction. The wireless LAN terminal 101 provides the wireless LAN in aplace such as a house or office. The mobile terminal 100 can connect tothe LAN 10 via the wireless LAN terminal 101 by enabling a wireless LANfunction. When entering a wireless LAN area provided by the wireless LANterminal 101, the mobile terminal 100 can automatically connect to thenetwork of the LAN 10, using authentication information set beforehand.

Next, a hardware configuration of the mobile terminal 100 will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 2 . The mobile terminal 100 of thepresent exemplary embodiment is an apparatus such as a smartphone ortablet personal computer (PC), but may be other type of apparatus ifthis apparatus is an information processing apparatus that can executewireless communication.

A central processing unit (CPU) 201 reads out a control program storedin a read only memory (ROM) 202, and executes various kinds ofprocessing for controlling operation of the mobile terminal 100 based onthe control program. The ROM 202 stores the control program. A randomaccess memory (RAM) 203 is used as a temporary storage area functioningas a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 201. A flashmemory 204 stores various kinds of data such as images and electronicdocuments. The flash memory 204 also stores an operating system (OS) 350and an MFP application 300 to be described below. A real time clock(RTC) 205 keeps the time.

In the case of the mobile terminal 100, one CPU 201 executes each stepof processing in each flowchart to be described below, but another modemay be adopted. For example, a plurality of CPUs can also execute eachstep of the processing in each flowchart to be described below, incooperation with one another.

An operation panel 206 has a touch panel function of enabling detectionof a touch operation by a user, and displays various screens provided bythe OS 350 or the MFP application 300. The user can input a desiredoperating instruction into the mobile terminal 100 by inputting a touchoperation on the operation panel 206.

A speaker 207 and a microphone 208 are used when the user talks tosomeone by connecting to another mobile terminal or a fixed telephone. Acamera 209 captures an image based on an image capturing instruction ofthe user. The image captured by the camera 209 is stored in apredetermined area of the flash memory 204.

A wireless communication unit 211 connects to, for example, a wirelesscommunication LAN or a public line to execute wireless communication.

Next, a software configuration of the mobile terminal 100 will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 3 . FIG. 3 is a functional blockdiagram illustrating software that the CPU 201 implements by reading outthe control program stored in the ROM 202 or the flash memory 204.

The OS 350 is a piece of software for controlling operation of theentire mobile terminal 100. Various applications, including the MFPapplication 300 to be described below, can be installed on the mobileterminal 100. The OS 350 exchanges information with these applications,and changes a screen displayed on the operation panel 206 based on aninstruction received from each of the applications. The OS 350 includesa device driver group for controlling various pieces of hardware, andprovides an application programing interface (API) for using variouspieces of hardware for an application operating on an OS.

The MFP application 300 is an application installed on the mobileterminal 100. The MFP application 300 enables the user to performoperations such as a print operation and a scan operation for an MFP.Besides the MFP application 300, other various applications areinstalled on the mobile terminal 100, but the description thereof willbe omitted.

A software configuration of the MFP application 300 will be describedmore in detail. A screen control unit 301 controls a screen displayed onthe operation panel 206 via the OS 350. An MFP application screen isdisplayed on the operation panel 206 by the screen control unit 301.Further, the screen control unit 301 determines an operating instructioninput by the user via the operation panel 206. A communication unit 302controls wireless communication by the wireless communication unit 211via the OS 350 to, for example, transmit and receive commands.

A print job generation unit 305 generates a print job. The print jobgenerated by the print job generation unit 305 is transmitted to an MFPby the wireless communication unit 211, and the MFP executes printingbased on the print job.

A wireless LAN connection control unit 310 controls connection to awireless LAN, and instructs the OS 350 to execute the connection.

An application storage unit 306 temporarily holds various kinds ofinformation.

A scan job control unit 307 provides a scan instruction to the MFP viathe wireless communication unit 211, and controls scan data receivedfrom the MFP. In a case where the scan data is to be saved, the scandata is temporarily held in the application storage unit 306. A documentmanagement unit 308 manages the held scan data.

A device search control unit 311 provides a function of enabling themobile terminal 100 to search for network devices managed in SNMP, andto search for an MFP to which the mobile terminal 100 can provide aninstruction among these network devices, on the LAN 10 to which themobile terminal 100 is connected. In the present exemplary embodiment,SNMPv1 and SNMPv3 are each used as a search protocol.

A clock unit 304 keeps the time via the RTC 205.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of an inner configuration of the MFP 110.The SFP 120 and the SFP 130 of the present exemplary embodiment eachalso have a configuration similar to that of the MFP 110 except thatthese are of the single function type.

FIG. 4 illustrates an overall configuration of the MFP 110. The MFP 110includes a CPU 3020 that executes software stored in a ROM 3030 or alarge-scale storage 3110 such as a hard disk (HD). The CPU 3020comprehensively controls devices connected to a system bus 3010.

A RAM 3040 serves as a main memory and a work area of the CPU 3020. Apanel controller (PANELC) 3060 controls instruction inputs from variousbuttons or a touch panel (PANEL) 3070 provided in the MFP 110. A displaycontroller (DISPC) 3080 controls display of a display module (DISPLAY)3090 configured of, for example, a liquid crystal display. A diskcontroller (DKC) 3100 controls the large-scale storage device (HD) 3110.

A network interface card (NIC) 3050 exchanges data with another networkdevice or an apparatus such as a file server via the LAN 10. A wirelessLAN (WLAN) 3400 is a wireless communication module that connects to anaccess point or operates in an access point mode, so that the MFP 110operates as an access point and can be directly connected to a mobileterminal by wireless communication. A printer 3200 is a print unit thatperforms printing on paper using an electrophotographic system. Aprinting system to be employed may not be the electrophotography system.

A scanner 3300 is an image reading unit that reads an image printed onpaper. In many cases, an automatic document feeder (ADF) (notillustrated) is mounted on the scanner (image reading unit) 3300 as anoption, so that a plurality of original documents can be automaticallyread. The large-scale storage device (HD) 3110 may be used as atemporary image storage location in some cases.

FIG. 9 illustrates an operation screen for SNMPv1 setting information,and this screen is displayed on the display module 3090 included in theMFP 110. A check box 901 is provided to enable/disable response based onSNMPv1. An item 902 is provided to set a community name of SNMPv1, and“public” is set as a general default value. A pull-down menu 903 isprovided to set a management information base (MIB) access right, andbesides “read”, “read/write” can be selected. In the present exemplaryembodiment, an access requested by the mobile terminal 100 isacquisition of an MIB, and therefore, an access right of “read” isnecessary. In the present exemplary embodiment, the image processingapparatuses 110, 120, and 130 are each set such that SNMPv1 is disabled.

FIG. 10 illustrates a setting operation screen for making the SNMPv3settings, and this screen is displayed on the display module 3090included in the MFP 110. A check box 1001 is provided to enable/disableresponse based on SNMPv3. An item 1002 is provided to set a user name ofSNMPv3. There is no general default value, and thus it is necessary forthe user to set some text string as the user name A pull-down menu 1003is provided to set an MIB access right and enables setting similar tothat for the pull-down menu 903 described above. A pull-down menu 1004is provided to make a security setting, and enables the user to select,in addition to “with authentication/with encryption”, “withauthentication/without encryption” and “without authentication/withoutencryption”. In the present exemplary embodiment, “withauthentication/with encryption” is set. In “with authentication”, a userwho attempts to acquire the MIB of a device in SNMPv3 is authenticatedwhen the user makes this attempt. In “with encryption”, a packet inSNMPv3 is encrypted. An item 1005 is provided to select anauthentication algorithm in an authentication setting. An item 1006 isprovided to set an authentication password. An item 1007 is provided toselect an encryption algorithm in an encryption setting. An item 1008 isprovided to set an encryption password. In the present exemplaryembodiment, the image processing apparatuses 110, 120, and 130 are eachset such that SNMPv3 is enabled.

FIG. 11 illustrates an SNMP setting screen in the MFP application 300. Abutton 1101 is provided to return to the previous setting screen. Anitem 1102 is provided to set whether to use SNMPv1 in searching for anMFP. An item 1103 is provided to set a community name when SNMPv1 isused, and needs to match with the corresponding setting on the MFPdesired to be found in a search. As with the item 902 on the MFP side,“public” is set as a general default value. An item 1104 is provided toset whether to use SNMPv3 in searching for an MFP. An item 1105 isprovided to set a user name of SNMPv3, and needs to match with thecorresponding setting on the MFP desired to be found in the search. Itis necessary for the user to set some text string, because there is nogeneral default value. A pull-down menu 1106 is provided to set an MIBaccess right. A pull-down menu 1107 is provided to make a securitysetting, and needs to match with the corresponding setting on the MFPdesired to be found in the search. Further, this pull-down menu enablesthe user to select, in addition to “with authentication/withencryption”, “with authentication/without encryption” and “withoutauthentication/without encryption”. An item 1108 is provided to selectan algorithm to be used for authentication, and needs to match with thecorresponding setting on the MFP desired to be found in the search. Anitem 1109 is provided to set a password to be used for authentication,and needs to match with the corresponding setting on the MFP desired tobe found in the search. An item 1110 is provided to set an algorithm tobe used for encryption, and needs to match with the correspondingsetting on the MFP desired to be found in the search. An item 1111 isprovided to set a password to be used for encryption, and needs to matchwith the corresponding setting on the MFP desired to be found in thesearch.

Next, an MFP search screen of the mobile terminal 100 will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D. Here, “use” of SNMPv1and SNMPv3 in FIG. 11 is selected.

When a search screen in each of FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D isdisplayed, SNMPv1 search processing and SNMPv3 search processingasynchronously start. A button 1201 in FIG. 12A is provided to return tothe previous screen. An area 1202 displays a state where no MFP is foundimmediately after start of the search processing. As soon as a device isfound, a search result is displayed in list form in which found devicesare displayed in order from the top.

In a case where no MFP is found as a result of the search, the screen inFIG. 12B is displayed to notify the user that no MFP is found. In a casewhere no MFP supported by the MFP application 300 is found as a resultof the search but there is a candidate for an MFP with SNMPv3 settingsthat may be supported by the MFP application 300, the screen in FIG. 12Cis displayed to notify the user of this state (finding no MFP althoughthere is a candidate for an MFP with SNMPv3 settings that may besupported by the MFP application 300 means that the SNMPv3 settings areinadequate). Here, the MFP supported by the MFP application 300 is anMFP of a model corresponding to the MFP application 300, and a model towhich an operation instruction can be issued by the MFP application 300.A candidate MFP that may be supported by the MFP application 300 can bedetermined from an engine identification (ID) acquired from an MFP in asearch based on SNMPv3. This will be described in detail below. In FIG.12C, a window 1204 is displayed to ask the user whether to make theSNMPv3 settings. When “YES” is selected in the window 1204, the screenin FIG. 12D appears. A window 1205 is a setting input window for SNMPv3,and when OK is pressed after setting values are input, a re-search isexecuted.

FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 each illustrate a flowchart concerning a method ofcontrolling the MFP search screen to be executed by the MFP application300.

The SNMPv1 search processing will be described with reference to FIG. 5. In step S501, the MFP application 300 broadcasts a packet in SNMPv1form to acquire an MIB for determining a supported MFP, on the LAN 10.Examples of the MIB for determining the supported MFP include a productmodel name.

In step S502, the MFP application 300 analyzes an MIB from an MFPindicated by an IP address responding to the broadcast, and picks up asupported MFP based on the analysis. A product model name acquired fromthe MIB of the MFP responding to the broadcast and a support list basedon product model names that is held beforehand by the MFP application300 are checked against each other to determine the supported MFP.

In step S503, the MFP application 300 displays the MFP picked up in stepS502 in list form, in the area 1202. In step S504, the MFP application300 determines whether an upper limit of a search time from the start ofthe search processing is reached. If the upper limit of the search timeis reached (YES in step S504), the SNMPv1 search processing ends. If theupper limit of the search time is not reached (NO in step S504), theprocessing returns to step S501. In step S502 in the second orsubsequent round, a response from an IP address that is the same as thatin the first round is excluded from pickup targets. It is desirable tohave a waiting time of about a few seconds when the processing returnsto step S501, because frequent occurrence of the broadcast in step S501places a load on the network. The upper limit of the search time is alsoset to a few tens of seconds because of a load on the network. In theSNMPv1 search processing, settings for security such as authenticationand a password are not necessary for the acquisition of the MIB on themobile terminal 100.

The SNMPv3 search processing to be executed in parallel with the startof the SNMPv1 search processing will be described with reference to FIG.6 . In step S601, the MFP application 300 broadcasts a packet in SNMPv3form to acquire an engine ID, on the LAN 10. The packet in SNMPv3 formto acquire an engine ID is called a Discovery packet (or a Discoverymessage), and in the SNMPv3 specifications, a user name and a securitysetting including authentication and a password are not necessary.Therefore, the speed of a response from an image processing apparatus tothe packet in SNMPv3 form to acquire an engine ID is fast.

In step S602, the MFP application 300 analyzes an engine ID from aresponding IP address (MFP), and extracts an MFP having a company IDsupported by the MFP application 300 as a candidate for a supported MFP(device), based on the analysis. The leading four octets of the engineID correspond to the company ID.

In step S603, the MFP application 300 determines whether a candidate fora supported device of SNMPv3 extracted in step S602 is present. If thecandidate is present (YES in step S603), the processing proceeds to stepS604. If the candidate is not present (NO in step S603), the processingproceeds to step S608.

In a case where the candidate for a supported MFP is present in stepS603, the MFP application 300 cannot determine whether this candidate isa supported MFP, because information representing an MIB is not acquiredin this step. Therefore, in step S604, the MFP application 300 transmitsa packet in SNMPv3 form to acquire an MIB to the IP address of the MFPpicked up as the candidate in step S602, in order to determine whetherthis MFP is a supported MFP. In order to acquire this MIB, a user nameand a security setting including authentication and a password arenecessary. The MIB to be acquired is a product model name as with stepS501 in the SNMPv1 search processing.

In step S605, the MFP application 300 acquires the MIB and determineswhether a supported device of the MFP application 300 is present basedon the acquired MIB. In a case where there is a response within time outof about a few seconds, the MFP application 300 determines that thesupported device is present. If the supported device is present (YES instep S605), the processing proceeds to step S606. If the supporteddevice is not present (NO step S605), the processing proceeds to stepS607. In step S606, the MFP application 300 displays a device determinedto be the supported device in list form.

In step S607, the MFP application 300 sets a flag that representsinformation indicating that there is a mismatch in terms of SNMPv3setting information. A device in which this flag is set is hereinafterreferred to as a supported device candidate with SNMPv3 settings. Thisdevice is the device with SNMPv3 settings that can communicate with themobile terminal 100, but is not recognized as a supported device becausesettings such as security for SNMPv3 on the mobile terminal 100 areinadequate. Examples of the case where the settings are inadequateinclude a case where settings are not input and thus setting informationis insufficient for a reason such as blanks, and a case where settingsare input but the setting information of the mobile terminal 100 andthat of the device are different.

In step S608, the MFP application 300 sets a flag that representsinformation indicating absence of an SNMPv3 device.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of the overall searchprocessing. As an example, a case will be described where a notificationis issued when settings including the security for SNMPv3 are not madealthough “use” of SNMPv3 is selected by the user on the mobile terminal100. This flowchart starts from a state where the user provides aninstruction for a device search on the mobile terminal 100.

When the search instruction is provided, in step S701, the SNMPv1 searchprocessing illustrated in FIG. 5 is executed. In step S702, the SNMPv3search processing illustrated in FIG. 6 is executed. Step S701 and stepS702 are executed in parallel.

In step S703, whether a supported SNMP device is found in each of stepS701 and S702 is determined. If the supported SNMP device is found (YESin step S703), the processing ends. If the supported SNMP device is notfound (NO in step S703), the processing proceeds to step S704.

In step S704, whether a supported device candidate with SNMPv3 settingsis present is determined. Specifically, whether the flag representing anSNMPv3 setting information mismatch set in the SNMPv3 search processingin step S702 is present is determined. If the flag representing anSNMPv3 settings information mismatch is present (YES in step S704), theprocessing proceeds to step S705. If the flag representing an SNMPv3settings information mismatch is not present (NO in step S704), theprocessing ends.

In step S705, whether the SNMPv3 settings illustrated in FIG. 11 aremade is determined. This determination is implemented by, for example,determining whether the items such as the item 1002 for setting a username of SNMPv3 remain blank. If the settings are made (YES in stepS705), the processing ends. If the settings are not made (NO in stepS705), the processing proceeds to step S706.

In step S706, a warning message like the message illustrated in FIG. 12Cis displayed to indicate that the SNMPv3 settings are not made, and abutton asking whether to make the settings is also displayed.

In step S707, whether the button for making the settings is pressed bythe user (the SNMPv3 settings are to be made) is determined. If thebutton for making the settings is pressed (YES in step S707), theprocessing proceeds to step S708. If the button is not pressed (NO instep S707), the processing ends.

In step S708, the setting input window (FIG. 12D) is displayed.

In step S709, whether input in the setting input window displayed instep S708 is completed is determined. If an OK button is pressed, i.e.,if the input is completed (YES in step S709), the processing returns tostep S701, so that a re-search is performed. If a cancel operation bythe user is detected, i.e., if the input is not completed (NO in stepS709), the processing ends. The above-described processing makes itpossible to notify a user, who is unaware of the settings of the itemssuch as security in searching for a device based on SNMPv3, that thesettings are necessary. Because the notification is provided only when asupported device candidate with SNMPv3 settings is present, providing anunnecessary notification can be prevented. If the SNMPv3 settings foritems such as security are made on the mobile terminal 100 in step S705,the processing ends. However, if there is no response from a supporteddevice (an MIB cannot be acquired) although the settings are made, thereis a possibility that the SNMPv3 settings for items such as security areincorrect. Therefore, in a case where the SNMPv3 settings are made instep S705, a warning may be displayed to indicate that the settingsinput in the screen in FIG. 11 may be incorrect.

The timing of displaying a warning message is not limited to theabove-described timing. For example, in a case where the user hasprovided an instruction for starting the device search processing in astate where the settings for items such as security in the SNMPv3setting screen illustrated in FIG. 11 are not made (blank), a warningmessage may be displayed at the timing when the user has provided asearch instruction. Further, although the flow in step S701 and the flowin step S702 run in parallel, whether the SNMPv3 settings for items suchas security are made may be confirmed at the timing when a supporteddevice is not found upon completion of the SNMPv1 search in step S701,and a warning message may be displayed if the settings are not made.

In the configuration described in the first exemplary embodiment, forexample, a screen for promoting the SNMPv3 settings can also bedisplayed, even in a case where a device with SNMPv1 settings can besearched for.

Even if a device with SNMPv1 settings is found, a desired printer is notfound for a user who wants to search for a device with SNMPv3 settings,and thus a re-search is performed. However, a device with SNMPv3settings cannot be found no matter how many times a re-search isperformed, because the SNMPv3 settings for items such as security havenot been made.

Therefore, in a second exemplary embodiment, in a case where aninstruction for a re-search is provided even if a device with SNMPv1settings is found, it is determined that a device with SNMPv3 settingsis desired, and the user is notified that the SNMPv3 settings arenecessary.

FIGS. 13A and 13B each illustrate a search screen of the secondexemplary embodiment. FIG. 13A is a screen to be displayed when a searchis over and only a device with SNMPv1 settings is searched for. Are-search button 1301 for starting a re-research is provided to issue aninstruction for executing a device search again. In a case where anSNMPv3 candidate device is present when the re-search button 1301 ispressed, the screen in FIG. 13B is displayed to notify the user that theSNMPv3 settings are necessary.

A basic configuration of the second exemplary embodiment is similar tothat of the first exemplary embodiment. Therefore, only a flowchart inFIG. 8 illustrating a search processing flow including a point differentfrom the first exemplary embodiment will be described. The basicconfiguration of the flowchart in FIG. 8 is similar to that of theflowchart in FIG. 7 .

In the second exemplary embodiment, at the timing in step S803, whethera supported device candidate with SNMPv3 settings is present isdetermined. Specifically, whether the flag representing an SNMPv3setting information mismatch set in the SNMPv3 search processing in stepS702 is present is determined. If the candidate is present (YES in stepS803), the processing proceeds to step S804. If the candidate is notpresent (NO in step S803), the processing ends.

In step S804, whether the re-search button 1301 is pressed in thedisplayed screen in FIG. 13A is determined. If the press of there-search button 1301 is detected (YES in step S804), the processingproceeds to step S705. If the press of the re-search button 1301 is notdetected (NO in step S804), the processing ends. As with the firstexemplary embodiment, a warning message may be displayed to indicatethat the settings may be incorrect, in a case where the SNMPv3 settingsare made in step S705.

The above-described processing makes it possible to notify a user thatthe SNMPv3 settings are necessary in a re-search, if a desired device isa device with SNMPv3 settings and the SNMPv3 settings for items such assecurity are inadequate, even if a device with SNMPv1 settings is found.Further, here, a warning message is displayed when the re-search buttonis pressed by the user, but this is not limitative. In a case where asupported device candidate with SNMPv3 settings is present even if adevice with SNMPv1 settings can be searched for (a supported device ispresent, but no result is displayed in a search result list because anMIB is not acquired), a warning message may be displayed to indicatethat the SNMPv3 security settings in the screen in FIG. 11 are not made,or the settings are incorrect.

Other Exemplary Embodiments

In a case where “use” of SNMPv3 for a search is selected on the mobileterminal 100, but the SNMPv3 settings for items such as security are notmade, a warning may be displayed when the user makes the settings on theSNMP setting screen in FIG. 11 to enable the user to notice such astate. For example, a configuration is conceivable in which a warning isdisplayed when the user closes the setting screen or makes screentransition without making settings for items such as a user name, afterthe user has selected “use” in the item 1104 for setting whether to useSNMPv3.

In the first and second exemplary embodiments, the image processingapparatus (MFP) is used as a communication partner of the informationprocessing apparatus, but this is not limitative. The communicationpartner may be any type of apparatus if the apparatus is an externalapparatus that can communicate with the information processingapparatus.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

Embodiment(s) of the present disclosure can also be realized by acomputer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computerexecutable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on astorage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/orthat includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or moreof the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by thecomputer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out andexecuting the computer executable instructions from the storage mediumto perform the functions of one or more of the above-describedembodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). Thecomputer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processingunit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network ofseparate computers or separate processors to read out and execute thecomputer executable instructions. The computer executable instructionsmay be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or thestorage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or moreof a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM),a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as acompact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™),a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.

While the present disclosure includes exemplary embodiments, it is to beunderstood that the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed exemplaryembodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded thebroadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications andequivalent structures and functions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for an application to be run on a mobileterminal, wherein the mobile terminal is capable of communicating withan external apparatus in Simple Network Management Protocol version 3(SNMPv3), the method comprising: acquiring an engine identificationtransmitted from one or more external apparatuses; requesting, based onthe acquired engine identification, for acquiring management informationbase (MIB) from an external apparatus configured to transmit an engineidentification including predetermined information, and acquiring theMIB; displaying an external apparatus supported by the application as asearch result based on the acquired MIB, wherein an external apparatusnot supported by the application is not displayed as the search resultbased on the acquired MIB; and transmitting print data to an externalapparatus selected by the user from among the displayed externalapparatus.
 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:transmitting print data to an external apparatus selected by the userfrom among the displayed external apparatus.
 3. The method according toclaim 1, further comprising: displaying an external apparatus supportedby the application as a search result based on Simple Network ManagementProtocol version 1 (SNMPv1) communication.
 4. The method according toclaim 1, further comprising: displaying a setting screen for makingsettings regarding SNMPv3 communication.
 5. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the mobile terminal is a smartphone.
 6. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein a first setting about SNMPv3 is settableon the mobile terminal, and a second setting about SNMPv3 is settable onat least one of the external apparatuses, the method further comprising:broadcasting a packet for requesting the engine identification that isreceivable irrespective of a content of the first setting, in SNMPv3;performing first determination as to whether an external apparatusresponding to the broadcasting is a candidate for an external apparatussupported by the application, based on the engine identificationreceived from the external apparatus responding to the broadcasting; andtransmitting a packet for requesting MIB that is receivable in a casewhere the content of the first setting satisfies a predeterminedcondition based on the second setting, in SNMPv3, to the externalapparatus determined to be the candidate in the first determination, andwherein a notification is provided in a case where the MIB is notreceived after the transmitting.
 7. The method according to claim 6,wherein the first setting and the second setting include at least one ofa setting of a user name, a setting of an access right for the MIB, anauthentication setting, and an encryption setting.
 8. The methodaccording to claim 7, wherein the authentication setting includes atleast one of an authentication algorithm and an authentication passwordand is a setting of authenticating a user who receives the MIB, and theencryption setting includes at least one of an encryption algorithm andan encryption password and is a setting of encrypting the packet forreceiving the MIB.
 9. The method according to claim 6, wherein thepredetermined condition includes a match between the external apparatusand the mobile terminal at least in terms of authentication algorithmand authentication password or in terms of encryption algorithm andencryption password.
 10. The method according to claim 6, furthercomprising: performing second determination as to whether the externalapparatus determined to be the candidate is the external apparatussupported by the application, based on the MIB.
 11. The method accordingto claim 6, wherein a packet for receiving third information that isreceivable irrespective of a setting is broadcasted in SNMPv1 in thebroadcasting, the method further comprising: performing thirddetermination as to whether an external apparatus responding to thebroadcasting in SNMPv1 is an external apparatus supported by theapplication, based on the third information, and wherein thenotification is provided in response to receipt of a predeterminedinstruction from the user, even in a case where the external apparatusresponding to the broadcasting in SNMPv1 is determined to be an externalapparatus supported by the application in the third determination. 12.The method according to claim 1, wherein in a case where informationindicating a predetermined product model name is included in theacquired MIB, an external apparatus corresponding to the MIB isdetermined to be the external apparatus supported by the application anddisplayed as a search result, and in a case where information indicatinga predetermined product model name is not included in the acquired MIB,an external apparatus corresponding to the MIB is determined to be notthe external apparatus supported by the application and not displayed asa search result.
 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein thepredetermined information is a predetermined company ID.
 14. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the request for acquiring the MIB istransmitted to an external apparatus corresponding to an engineidentification including a predetermined company ID based on theacquired engine identification, and the request for acquiring the MIB isnot transmitted to an external apparatus corresponding to an engineidentification not including the predetermined company ID based on theacquired engine identification.
 15. The method according to claim 1,wherein an external apparatus of a model supported by the applicationthat is operated in the mobile terminal is displayed as the searchresult based on the acquired MIB.
 16. A mobile terminal capable ofcommunicating with an external apparatus in Simple Network ManagementProtocol version 3 (SNMPv3), the mobile terminal comprising: one or moreprocessors; and at least one memory storing an application and storingexecutable instructions, which when executed by the one or moreprocessors, cause the mobile terminal to perform operations comprising:acquiring an engine identification transmitted from one or more externalapparatuses; requesting, based on the acquired engine identification,for acquiring management information base (MIB) from an externalapparatus configured to transmit an engine identification includingpredetermined information, and acquiring the MIB; displaying an externalapparatus supported by the application as a search result based on theacquired MIB, wherein an external apparatus not supported by theapplication is not displayed as the search result based on the acquiredMIB; and transmitting print data to an external apparatus selected bythe user from among the displayed external apparatus.
 17. Anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing an applicationand storing executable instructions, which when executed by one or moreprocessors of a mobile terminal capable of communicating with anexternal apparatus in Simple Network Management Protocol version 3(SNMPv3), cause the mobile terminal to perform operations comprising:acquiring an engine identification transmitted from one or more externalapparatuses; requesting, based on the acquired engine identification,for acquiring management information base (MIB) from an externalapparatus configured to transmit an engine identification includingpredetermined information, and acquiring the MIB; displaying an externalapparatus supported by the application as a search result based on theacquired MIB, wherein an external apparatus not supported by theapplication is not displayed as the search result based on the acquiredMIB; and transmitting print data to an external apparatus selected bythe user from among the displayed external apparatus.